Millions have been splurged on a new 1,200 seat theatre in the already futuristic-looking Canary Wharf – where the audience is seated in an arena, gazing down – like the citizens of Panem – on the spectacle of teenage ‘Tributes’ fighting to the death for their amusement.
It’s divided into the different districts and if you’re seated in District 1 or 2, your section parts to allow for a pre-Games parade including our heroine Katniss Everdeen in a flaming chariot or a full on fight scene.
Mia Carragher as the ‘girl on fire’ from poverty-stricken District 12 – memorably played by Jennifer Lawrence in the movies – is a scared but resourceful teen who increasingly finds her strength.
The first half sees her volunteer for the annual Games when younger sister Prim’s name comes up in the lottery. She travels to the Capitol where the Metropolitan elite (vivid costumes by Moi Tran) party as the bloodshed plays out on their screens.
In act two we’re in the brutal killing arena as Katniss battles both her fellow tributes and the omnipotent Games Makers who are trying to stop her becoming a symbol of rebellion.
Adaptor Conor McPherson tries to inject psychological motivation with dream sequences and snatches of Katniss’ interior monologue.
But perhaps inevitably, secondary characters and intimate emotions gets lost amid the action and spectacle in the vast space.
Katniss’ relationships with back-home hunting partner Gale, Capitol stylist Cinna, and even evil President Snow – here played on 20 ft high screens by a blank-eyed John Malkovich – are side-lined.
Although touching moments with fellow tributes Rue and fellow District 12 competitor Peeta and love interest (an engaging Euan Garratt) benefit from camera close-ups projected on screen.
But the immersive setting works well to conjure the fear and oppression of Panem.
And Matthew Dunster’s direction is at its best in the thrilling games sequences of armed combat.
Vital supplies and a ‘tree’ where Katniss hides drop from the ceiling, and a hydraulic lift brings the tributes – and Cornucopia – up from the arena’s depths as the cannon fires into the night sky to mark the death of each child.
Ticketholders will get their money’s worth in spectacle, while perhaps missing the emotional connection of the books and movie.
The Hunger Games on Stage continues at The Troubadour Theatre, Canary Wharf until October 18, 2028. www.thehungergamesonstage.com
